SCAM CALL: A Suffolk resident has received a SCAM call from someone purporting to be from Suffolk County Council. The caller advised that the resident could have adaptations made to their property, but that they must pay a fee. The caller gave a Gmail email address for the resident to contact them on. As with any telephone call that you receive out of the blue, we urge you to be vigilant and take a moment to stop and think, especially if you receive a request over the phone or e-mail to make a payment from someone claiming to be from a trusted organisation. If you are in any doubt, contact the company or organisation directly using an email or phone number from their official website. Impersonation scams occur when the victim is persuaded to make a payment to a criminal claiming to be from a trusted organisation. This could include the police, a bank, a utility company, or a government department. Report all scam calls to us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
ROGUE TRADER: On Tuesday 6th February a Finningham resident was approached at the door by an individual claiming to be from Suffolk Highways. The caller offered to pea shingle the resident’s driveway with leftover materials from works on the A140 and went on to say they would provide bank details so that the resident could make payment for this online. Were you approached? Did you see any vehicle they were travelling in? If you have any information, please contact us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133. Suffolk Highways will never call at your property to offer leftover materials. While it might be tempting to agree to low prices being offered on the doorstep, think twice. Our advice is:
- never agree to have any work done as a result of a cold call, and don't be pressurised into having the job done immediately
- if you think work needs doing to your home, get quotes from 2 or 3 traders. Ask friends and family for recommendations of traders who have carried out work for them. You can also check Suffolk Trusted Trader for traders that have been vetted and approved by us: https://trustedtrader.team/Suffolk/
- ask for the full name and address from a trader before considering dealing with them, and never rely solely on a mobile phone number
- ask for a written quotation detailing all the proposed work and a final price for the job BEFORE the work is started
- only pay once the work is completed to your satisfaction, don't pay up front for materials, don't pay cash
HOLIDAY SCAMS: Most of us look forward to an annual holiday or short break which, more often than not, we find and book online. But fraudsters also love the internet. They use fake websites, listings, emails, advertisements, social media posts and texts – and also phone calls – to trick you into paying for a holiday or other travel to Never Never Land. In other words, it simply doesn’t exist. To help save you from losing your holiday and your money, Get Safe Online have put together some expert tips on safely searching and booking holidays and travel with confidence www.getsafeonline.org/holiday
BEST VALUE: Find it hard to work out what’s best value for money in the supermarket? Check next to the price online or the shelf label for the unit price. It allows you to compare products by how much they cost by weight, volume or quantity. Find out more in this blog: https://competitionandmarkets.blog.gov.uk/2024/01/30/a-short-guide-to-unit-pricing/
HEATERS SEIZED: 252 unsafe electric heaters have been detained at the Port of Felixstowe by Suffolk Trading Standards Import Surveillance team. The product failed to meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016, posing an electrical shock and fire hazard. Testing found that the overheating protection device within the product was not fixed and as such posed a risk of overheating and fire. The plug attached to the product did not comply with the requirements of the British Standard i.e., BS1363. The dimensions of the sleeved parts of the pins differed from the metal parts of the pins. This could cause damage to the socket and undue wear and tear to the sleeve, resulting in a risk of electrical shock. The fuse was oversized, did not have any granular filler and the endcaps were insecurely fixed. This poses a risk of the plug overheating and a risk of fire. In addition to all the above safety failures the products were not marked with the required type, batch, serial number or other element allowing its identification. They were not marked with the name or address of the manufacturer or importer, and no instructions were available for the products to ensure safe use. The consignment was due to be delivered to a warehouse in Manchester. The products have been removed from Amazon listings and the goods will be destroyed. If you have purchased a product that you think may be unsafe, stop using it immediately and report it to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
RECALLS: Premier Foods is recalling various Ambrosia My Mini Pots because they may contain pieces of plastic. The possible presence of plastic presents a possible choking hazard and makes these products unsafe to eat.
Ambrosia My Mini Custard Pots Pack size 6 x 55g Best before All dates between April 2024 and October 2024
Ambrosia My Mini 30% Less Sugar Custard Pots Pack size 6 x 55g Best before All dates between April 2024 and October 2024
Ambrosia My Mini Rice Pots Pack size 6 x 55g Best before All dates between April 2024 and October 2024
If you have bought any of the above products, do not eat them. Instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund. For more information contact Ambrosia on 0800 085 3959.